Will this gadget help?

[ggriffi]

I am still kinda new to this whole lf thing but I am making progress. While scanning ebay today I ran across this:

Scheimplug Calculator.

I haven't use tilt much at all yet but I am getting ready to try my hand at some shots that I will be using tilt. So is this thing worth it or is there an easy way to figure this?

TIA
g

 

[matt miller]

I suppose the format that you're using and what you're photographing could determine it's usefulness, but in my experience with 4x5 & 8x10, I have found no need for such a device. The ground glass tells me all that I need to know.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I have one, and I tend not to use it much, but don't discount such things until you've tried them.

I find the calculators on the Sinar cameras very useful, so I thought I'd get the Rodenstock calculator so I could use the same features on any view camera, but since it's not so nicely integrated into the camera, and many shots that I take are pretty simple anyway in terms of figuring out the movements required, I don't use it that often. If you shoot a lot of tabletop and still life, you might use it more.

A good companion to the calculator is a device like the Suunto Tandem clinometer-compass, which will allow you to measure tilt and swing angles on both standards on any camera (well, any camera that doesn't have any strong magnetic parts), whether it has scales or not, and the angle of the plane of focus.

$29 is a good price, as I recall.

 

[glbeas]

I got one, played with it, determined it to be incredibly accurate, then proceeded to learn to set up without it. Most applications in the field, especially landscape, require so little tilt its very easy to just eyeball it on the ground glass and get it right. If you got one learn to use it, but don't forget to learn to do it without help.

 

[John Kasaian]

If I can't spell it, I probably don't need it. YMMV of course!

 

[MurrayMinchin]

The ground glass tells me all that I need to know.

Focus on the far, tilt for the near, repeat a couple times & yer done

Murray

 

[raucousimages]

Can be usefull for still lifes but I seldom use it and have never used it for landscapes or portraits.

 

[Changeling1]

Focus on the far, tilt for the near, repeat a couple times & yer done

Murray

Is that how that poor old ambulance chaser down in Texas got himself a face full of birdshi...errr birdshot?

 

[MichaelBriggs]

Yes, it works very well, but like some of the others, I rarely use mine, sometimes for a closeup photo that uses a lot to tilt.

It might help you learn, getting you out of confusion if you can't figure out the correct tilt from observing the ground glass and iterating.

It's a standard Rodenstock item, carried by photo stores that have LF stuff. The price is not so good: the ebay auction is $29.95 plus $8 shipping; B&H and Calumet both list it for approx. $25 under the name "Rodenstock Depth-of-Field Calculator". It's a Depth-of-Field Calculator on one side and Scheimpflug Calculator on the other -- clear from Calmet's description, not mentioned by B&H. If you combine with another order, you will save on shipping.

 

[BradS]

The money would be better spent on a book that tells you how the priciple works and how to do it yourself.

 

[bobbysandstrom]

My vote would be to learn the principles of the front and back tilt then practice, practice, practice so you can pull that camera out and grab that once in a lifetime shot before the light changes. Don't waste your money like I did. You will quickly become comfortable and confident focusing without any help.